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Police Briefs 06-20-2012

A police task force watched the parking lot of Target last Wednesday afternoon, operating on a tip that a man known only as ‘Hitman’ planned to sell an illegal firearm to another individual around 4:30 p.m.

Around that time, officers watched ‘Hitman’ pull into the parking lot and the buyer get into his car. Allegedly, ‘Hitman’ sold the buyer a loaded .357 revolver for $750 and then the two parted ways.

Police followed the buyer, and also followed ‘Hitman.’ At Bell Circle, they attempted to put the brakes on the operation.

However, the man hit the gas and sped to Rt. 1, where he headed at high speeds into Cambridge and Boston. Eventually, he collided with a vehicle and took off on foot.

He headed to the MBTA Red Line and tried to escape on the train, only to be found in the Kendall Square Station by State Police.

The man turned out to be a Level III armed career criminal, Leroy Butler from Brighton. He had been convicted in 2008 of a gun and assault crime, for which he served four years and was being monitored on probation.

He faced more than 10 offenses in Chelsea District Court on Thursday, including unlawful possession of a firearm and improper sale of a firearm. He was requested to be held on a $500,000 cash bail, but Judge James Wexler imposed a $100,000 bail after arraignment.

He is also required to wear a GPS tracking bracelet if he posts bail.

The case was worked by State Police, Revere Police, Lynn Police, Essex County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.

He is to be back in Chelsea Court on July 9th.

ARMED ROBBERY SUNDAY

A man walking on North Shore Road reported that he was robbed at knifepoint on Sunday by two men who stole his iPhone.

The man told police he was walking northbound around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday when he was approached by a black male and a Hispanic male with slicked-back hair. The black male asked the man if he could use his iPhone to make a call.

The victim allowed him to use it.

The black male pulled out a knife and indicated he was keeping the phone.

The two men fled the scene and the victim flagged down a motorist and was able to summon police.

EARLY EXPOSURE

A Malden man was charged with lewdness when he exposed himself to several people at Northgate Mall last Sunday morning around 9:15 a.m.

Numerous complaints came in and police found the man sitting on a bench in Northgate. He was non-responsive to officers and had a glazed look in his eyes and wore a huge smile.

Steven Brawley, 53, of Malden, was charged with open and gross lewdness.

SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE IT

Police arrested a Constitution Avenue man on Friday night for what the man termed a big mistake.

“I shouldn’t have stopped,” he allegedly told police after being arrested. “I should have just walked home.”

The man had been discovered by a homeowner at the corner of Washington and Park Avenues around 9 p.m. in the backyard. The suspect appeared to be attempting to steal some copper in the yard and to break into a tool shed.

When confronted, he left.

Police responded and were able to find the man with help from the homeowner.

Nicholas Miller, 43, of 80 Constitution Ave, was charged with attempting to commit a crime and trespassing.

COMMENDATION FOR THRIFTY

Revere Police have sent a letter of commendation to Thrifty Car Rental for one employee’s quick thinking on May 30th that helped lead to the apprehension of a man wanted for murder in Florida.

The man had tried to rent a car at Thrifty with an accomplice, but had used a credit card that had been declined. At some point during the transaction, the two men left and stole a Ford Mustang and head to Revere Beach.

Later, Revere Police apprehended one of the men, who was wanted for the murder of an elderly woman in Florida.

Acting Police Chief Joe Cafarelli wrote that Thomas Assalty of Thrifty should be commended for his quick and accurate description to police.

“If not for the quick actions of your employee to report the information, the potential for a violent encounter with law enforcement officers and the general public was imminent,” read the letter. “It’s my opinion that Thomas Assalty’s quick thinking and action led to the capture of a very violent fugitive, and avoided what could have been a crime spree.”

CHELSEA MAN ARRESTED

Police got several complaints around 12:30 a.m. last Friday morning when a Chelsea man was driving erratically down Park Avenue with a flat tire.

Officers cruised down Park Ave and found the white Ford Explorer with a blown-out tire trying to drive. When pulled over, officers found drug paraphernalia and had reason to believe the man was under the influence of drugs.

Robert McKennon Jr., 23, of Chelsea, was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and threatening to commit a crime.

FIREARM DISCHARGED IN ROBBERY

Two armed robbers held up the Peter’s Super Beef on North Shore Road last Wednesday, June 13th, just after midnight – shooting one round from a firearm into the ceiling as they carried out the heist.

Around 12:08 a.m. two Hispanic males entered the store.

Two employees were inside and two patrons.

One of the robbers produced a handgun and demanded that the employee open the register. To prove his point, he fired the gun into the ceiling.

The employee turned over an undisclosed amount of cash and the men fled.

The man with the firearm was described as being a light-skinned Hispanic male around 5’8” and in his 20s. His accomplice was described as being a light-skinned Hispanic male in his 20s who was wearing a black and white bandana over his face.

Detectives are actively working the case.

NORTHGATE BREAKS

Police have been patrolling the area of the Northgate Mall lately due to a higher volume of car breaks in the area, and last Saturday night, they perhaps foiled one attempt.

While on an enhanced patrol of the area, officers noticed some young men looking suspicious and peeking into vehicles.

Officers confronted the young men and identified them for the purpose of patrolling the area.

All was done except that one of the young men made profane statements about the officers anatomy as he was leaving, shocking several families with children that were leaving the Uno’s Restaurant.

Jeffrey Gaudette, 19, of 64 Pemberton St., was arrested for the comment and charged with disorderly conduct.

ARREST Report

MONDAY, JUNE 11

Jon Rosado, 19, of 55 Arcadia St., was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Francisco Mahon, 29, of 1045 Broadway, was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

TUESDAY, JUNE 12

Sidney Pierre, 25, of Everett, was arrested on charges of illegal possession of a Class B controlled narcotic substance with intent to distribute, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, and violating the drug free school zone laws. He also was cited for the civil motor vehicle infraction of a marked lanes violation.

Carla Brown, 49, of Leominster, was arrested on a charge of uttering a false prescription.

Anthony J. Santosuosso, 31, of East Boston, was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

FRIDAY, JUNE 15

Robert T. McKennon Jr., 23, of Chelsea, was arrested on charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, and making a threat to commit a crime.